By: Giselle Kuri, Promotions Representative for Up with People

She felt the blood pumping through her veins. Her knees were shaking; her mind was in a faraway land.

It had been four weeks since she had met the people who were now sitting by her side in the crowded little room where it all started. Life was already different, she felt it in her stomach. Maybe it was just that she was starting to get sick. The noise was nerve-wracking? as the crowd became louder and louder taking their seats in the theater ready to see her. To see them.

She was trying to go over the moves in her head, making sure she knew every single thing that was about to happen. How did the time fly by without her noticing? The brand new red dress she was wearing was about to become her weekly outfit, and she felt kind of weird in it still. Did it fit correctly? Here comes the sickness once again. She seriously needs to stop thinking.

She took a deep breath and she held it in, making herself dizzy and a little light-headed. There was a moment of fear, confusion, noise; but she was ready. This is what she wanted to do, and most importantly, she believed in the message of it.

Every time a song ended, a feeling of relief mixed with accomplishment came with the applause, and the nerves started going away, to be completely substituted with an amazing joy. She was not sure if the energy she was feeling came from the audience, or if the audience was energized because of their performance. Theirs. Everyone kept saying that they would become a family but finally it all made sense, it was a team effort and that magic wouldn’t happen without having each and every single one of them on stage.

She found herself standing behind a bunch of people who were on their feet for a standing ovation that she was gladly a part of. It had been a year since she was that shaky, sick girl on stage and now, she was on the other side, teary-eyed and cheering for the people who now do a fantastic job making her feel that energy she didn’t quite understand a year ago. It might have come from her and her friends back then, as it now does from these talented and passionate young people who left their heart on the stage.

The show was called Voices, and she was a proud part of those voices that wanted to make a difference in the world, as these 100 diverse individuals who inspired her to continue trying to make that change happen reminded her. She took a breath, absorbed the moment and got ready to tell the world about her experience.

I can gladly say, just one year ago I was her. I was part of the Up with People Cast and I got to stay with host families all around the world for six months, volunteering at various places and performing Voices in over 8 countries. The show itself talks about how nowadays, being more connected than ever, we are losing the ability to understand each other face to face. However, what the cast manages to tell us on stage is so much more than that. They take us on a world tour in two hours, overcoming language barriers, stereotypes and obstacles to share more than a message; they share a passion with all of us in the audience.

Collin Shepherd, Misa Grenier and myself, the Advanced Team in North Platte Nebraska, had the opportunity to see the first show presented by Cast A ’14 in Denver, CO this past Saturday, and cannot wait until we can share this with the people in North Platte so they can also be part of this fun, unique and unforgettable experience.

Check out your opportunities to join us at: https://www.facebook.com/events/731006426912410/